Kansas City Royals All-Star Kris Bubic faced live hitters for the first time in seven months.
Kansas City Royals left‑hander Kris Bubic walked off the mound this week with something that had been missing for months: full confidence in his arm. After being shut down late last season because of a left rotator cuff strain, Bubic faced live hitters for the first time since July, marking another milestone in his recovery process.
For Kansas City, the session represented more than just a spring checkpoint. Bubic was one of the club’s most important arms in 2025 before the injury halted his momentum.
Through 20 starts last season, he posted a 2.55 ERA across 116 1/3 innings, striking out 116 batters and emerging as an All‑Star and Cy Young candidate in the American League.
His fastball command sharpened, his secondary pitches had more life and he consistently gave the Royals quality outings before discomfort in his shoulder forced the team to shut him down for the remainder of the season.
Now healthy and back on the mound at spring training, Bubic commented on how he felt after the outing. “I felt good about it,” Bubic said after the live session according to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. “You know, everything was pretty normal in terms of the movements and the velocities coming out of it. Some normal soreness today because it was my first live, but I look forward to doing it again here in a couple of days.”
The significance of his return cannot be overstated. The Royals rotation dealt with multiple injuries down the stretch in 2025, and Bubic’s absence played a role in the team fading from postseason contention. At the time of his final start, he had been the most consistent pitcher in the rotation.
Rather than pursue surgery, Bubic and the Royals opted for a conservative rehab approach. He went weeks without throwing and focused on strengthening his shoulder before gradually building back up over the offseason. By all accounts, the process went smoothly without setbacks.
For Kansas City, a healthy Bubic changes the outlook of the entire staff. He has one year remaining before free agency, which adds another layer of importance to 2026 for both sides. If he replicates his 2025 form, the Royals regain a top‑of‑the‑rotation presence. If not, the rotation depth will once again be tested.
For now, the early signs are encouraging. As spring progresses, each outing will bring him closer to proving that last season’s breakout was no fluke.